JFJ Press Release: JFJ Denounces Police-on-Police Killing

Wednesday, December 15, 2010, Kingston, Jamaica – Human rights organization Jamaicans For Justice (JFJ) expressed regret today that police Constable Floyd Barrett from the motorised patrol division has died after being allegedly shot by another police colleague on operation on Monday, December 13th.

“This incident serves as an important reminder that the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) must provide better training to its officers,” said JFJ Executive Director Dr. Carolyn Gomes. “How can we expect the Jamaica Constabulary Force to protect us if it can’t even protect its own officers from each other?”

There appears to be a culture of shoot first and ask questions later in the JCF which connotes a blatant disregard for human life. We urge the Commissioner of Police, Owen Ellington to remind his officers to observe at all times proper human rights procedures and the tenets of their own ‘Use of Force and Firearms Policy’. The citizens of Jamaica need to be reassured that the police force can indeed, protect and serve.

Our condolences go out to the family, friends and colleagues of Constable Floyd Barrett.